FROM KABOOM TO PBID AT THE LA MESA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

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By Janis Russell

October 15. 2014 (La Mesa)- At yesterday’s La Mesa City Council meeting, Council unanimously approved submitting an application to the Let’s Play Community Construction Grant Program through KaBoom! to support a playground upgrade at Vista La Mesa Park.

 “I was delighted to see this,” said Councilman Ernie Ewin. “KaBoom! has done a number of things in our community.”

Mayor Art Madrid was also enthused. “Vista La Mesa is really a poster child for improvement of other parks.”

Then, Garrett gave a staff report regarding Council consideration of the city’s marketing and communication plan. Staff hopes to increase the city’s marketing presence as a result of an item initiated by Councilmember Kristine Alessio and Ewin to upgrade the city’s website. Garrett felt that by coming up with a plan, this encourages public communication,  showcases assets, and prioritizes city promotion, also tracking and measuring outcomes. “$50,000 has been set aside for a marketing and communications consultant,” Garrett added.

Staff recommended that Council hire the consultant and also provide an immediate update to the city website.

Councilmember Mark Arapostathis felt that the city shouldn’t hire a consultant until January 1, 2015 when there’s a new council, but he does think having one is important.

Councilmember Kristine Alessio said she thinks the city needs a marketing and communications manager now. “It’s an old problem that’s been going on and on,” she said, but along with Vice Mayor Ruth Sterling agreed to wait until next year.

Madrid said, “We already have a great public relations firm… I think we need the proper tools to carry [this plan] out,” and he was also in favor of waiting until January. He also mentioned that the city of La Mesa has been ranked high by residents in terms of satisfaction in the entire state.

Ewin moved to bring the plan forward to next January. Arapostathis seconded. The vote passed and was unanimous.

Members were then appointed to the Youth Advisory Commission. Staff recommended that Council fill the vacancies and adopt the resolution confirming the appointments. Madrid wanted to advance Alyssa Thompson and her brother Sergio Thompson, Roberto Martin, Julian Saenz, and Jagger Giles. All names were approved unanimously to advance.

Next, Ewin requested a current downtown Property Based Improvement District (PBID) status and potential for future PBIDs in the city. Ewin explained to ECM that a vote could have been taken to reintroduce the PBID process and start all over. Instead, “no vote was taken and there was unanimous consent to have the City Attorney bring it back on the 28th and give legal background.”

Lastly, Ewin wanted a request for a brief update on the results of the coordination for Oktoberfest between the La Mesa Police Department and the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS).

Chief of Police Ed Aceves said overall, things went well at Oktoberfest and that the Police Department “changed things up” a bit on each of the three days.   Alessio asked Aceves to clear any rumors that a fight broke out and resulted in shutting down Oktoberfest.

Aceves told her, “All booths were supposed to close at 9 p.m. both nights” to avoid past problems with juveniles congregating. “Our offices kept an eye on them,” he said of this year’s event, adding that though there was a fight, it was “not gang related.”

No action was taken on this item.

 


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